Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993): Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Anjelica Huston

     Although the idea was conceived at the same time as Annie Hall (1977), it took Woody Allen fifteen years to get around to making Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). Allen felt the initial draft was too light and he had Marshall Brickman come in to assist in adding more substantial story elements. The part of Carol was originally intended for Allen's real-life wife, Mia Farrow, but their marriage had come to a bitter, non-amicable end. Allen offered the part to his old flame/friend, Diane Keaton, and she readily accepted the role. Art does imitate life, somewhat, in Manhattan Murder Mystery. The emotions Allen shows in the film in relation to marriage troubles seems heartfelt and genuine. The supporting cast in wonderful, including Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston, Jerry Adler and Zach Braff in his brief one-scene debut. An underrated Gem in the Allen catalogue, Manhattan Murder Mystery is smart and elegant... complete with a brilliantly fitting homage/reference to Orson Welles' 1947 film, The Lady from Shanghai. 

     Larry and Carol Lipton (Woody Allen and Diane Keaton) are a middle aged couple living in Manhattan...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     When they meet their neighbors, a kind old couple living down the hall, nothing seems strange. That is, until the old woman dies of an apparent heart-attack. The old man seems a bit too cheery, triggering Carol's suspicion. She begins to investigate, sneaking into his apartment, looking for clues...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     Although Larry is highly skeptical, and downright irritated by her obsession, even he can't help but get involved when it becomes apparent that something sinister is going on...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     Meanwhile, Carol is being assisted by friend, Ted (Alan Alda), who has a crush on her...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     and Larry's client, Marcia (Anjelica Huston) joins the group as they come up with a plan to trap the murderous old man...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     It leads to a tense build-up...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     and show-down...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

     in a fantastic Orson Welles homage, a la The Lady of Shanghai...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

Play It Again, Sam (1972): Woody Allen, Humphrey Bogart and Casablanca

      Although Woody Allen wrote and starred in "Play It Again, Sam" (1972), he did not direct it. That job was given to Herbert Ross. It was an early stage in Allen's filmmaking career and his best known efforts at that time were slapstick in nature, so he was not fully trusted with complete artistic control. Nevertheless, the film stands out as the first in a series of Allen films in a similar vein... in which he is a hopeless romantic failure. It is the first pairing of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, who formed a long lasting creative partnership. It also resonates as Woody Allen's remarkably beautiful homage to one of the greatest films ever made... Casablanca. 

     Woody Allen stars as Allen Felix, a writer for a film magazine, whose wife has just left him. Depressed, bewildered and befuddled, he is need of a new companion. Strangely enough, his most vocal wing man is the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, who gives him tips on how to score with the ladies...

Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen

     His married friends, Dick and Linda, also try to help by setting him up on a series of dates... all of which end in hilarious disaster...

Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen

     Through their friendship, Allen realizes that his true affections rest with Linda, his best friend's wife. More confusion occurs when it is discovered that Linda has feelings for him as well... 

Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen

     How can he reconcile his feelings and do what is best for all involved?

Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen

Play it Again, Sam. 1972. Woody Allen

Interiors (1978): Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

     Written and directed by Woody Allen, Interiors (1978) was Allen's first full-fledged drama film. Somber in tone, the story focuses on a group of sisters trying to cope with life and their aging parents' divorce. Woody Allen, himself, was fearful about how a dramatic effort from him would be received... and half-expected Interiors to bomb. Instead, it stuck a chord with critics, gaining praise and several Academy Award nominations... and it stood to show Allen's diverse range as a writer and filmmaker. The cinematography is beautiful and the shots are thoughtfully composed. The cast is great, including Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, E.G. Marshall, Maureen Stapleton and Sam Waterston.

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

"Interiors"- movie trailer

Love and Death (1975): Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Napoleon

     Written and directed by Woody Allen, Love and Death (1975) is often considered to be the bridge between Allen's early slapstick comedy and his later intellectual/philosophical humor. Made between Sleeper (1973) and Annie Hall (1977), Love and Death (1975) combines his two burgeoning comedic stylings and Woody Allen himself cited the film as his own favorite work. Set in the early 19th Century, the film focuses on a cowardly man forced to serve in the Russian army and fight against Napoleon's forces. Both Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are in fine form in the lead roles. Olga Georges-Picot is excellent in a sexy standout supporting role as well.

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Diane Keaton

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Olga Georges-Picot

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen and Olga Georges-Picot

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Olga Georges-Picot

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen and Olga Georges-Picot

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen and Olga Georges-Picot

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Napoleon

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Napoleon

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Napoleon

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen

Love and Death. 1975: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Napoleon

Love and Death. 1975: Olga Georges-Picot